Medevacs in Gulf of Alaska

Coast Guard aircrews from Kodiak and Sitka, Alaska, conducted two separate medevacs in the Gulf of Alaska Monday.

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an injured Marine from Old Harbor on Kodiak Island and an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted an ailing fisherman from a fishing vessel in Gilmer Bay near Sitka.

In the first medevac, Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a medevac request from a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve detachment of a Marine who injured his back while working on a runway improvement project in Old Harbor. The duty flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the medevac.

The Air Station Kodiak helicopter crew picked up the Marine and transported him to Air Station Kodiak where he was met by awaiting emergency medical personnel.

In the second medevac, Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center watchstanders received a report of a man suffering from stroke-like symptoms aboard the 35-foot fishing vessel Ocean Storm in Gilmer Bay. The duty flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the medevac.

The Air Station Sitka helicopter crew hoisted the fisherman and transported him to Air Station Sitka where he was met by awaiting emergency medical personnel.

“Due to the nature of calls for assistance and the remote locations a number of these cases occur, the safest and most effective way to transport people is by Coast Guard helicopter,” said Chief Petty Officer Robert Luna, a Coast Guard 17th District watchstander. “Our continuous training prepares us to safely and effectively transport those in need out of the harsh Alaskan environment, whether at sea or on land.”

The weather on scene in Old Harbor was reported as light wind and rain with 10 miles of visibility, and the weather on scene in Gilmer Bay was reported as calm winds with 10 miles of visibility.